Why hasn’t the city considered an outdoor entertainment facility? One can be constructed for a 1/4 of the cost of the proposed ESC. See numerous other cities where this has been done (Houston, Salt Lake City, Portland, Philadelphia, San Jose, Columbus, Kansas City, Denver, Dallas, Chicago). Specifically Houston’s (BBVA Compass Stadium 22,000 seats for $95 million) which just opened this past weekend (5/12/12). The facilities allow for a multitude of other sporting and non-sporting events that have greatly enhanced those communities. See MLSsoccer.com

If the city is open to a partnership with owners of sports franchises, I think it should be given a look. AEG owns and operates 2 or 3 facilities for Major League Soccer (MLS) outside the 50-100 venues they own. See how successful the Los Angeles Galaxy are. The other team Chivas USA which shares the Home Depot Center with the Galaxy is looking for a new home re-locate. The Home Depot Center is owned by AEG.

You could have international games here, MLS All-Star game, college and high school soccer & football championships, concerts, rugby matches, and all your motorcycle and monster truck events as well. If AEG operated an outdoor stadium here, for sure the Amgen Tour would be in Sacramento every year since AEG is a part of the tour.

This city deserves a major league team and I think we need to take our blinders off regarding the Kings. They don’t have to be the only game in town. The Maloofs have systematically gotten rid of the Knights and Monarchs, the Kings are next.

The city needs a facility they can call their own. Why not re-locate Chivas USA from LA to the state capital. The Mayor is already working with AEG.

I ask you to help with this idea. See what is has done for Portland’s and Houston’s downtowns. Below is an excerpt of what is going on there:

The welcome mat is almost out at BBVA Compass Stadium.

With a number of elected officials and dignitaries in attendance, the
Houston Dynamo on Tuesday officially cut the ribbon at their new home,
celebrating the completion – or near completion, since there are still
minor details to take care of – of a project that took 14 months to
build but nearly seven years to complete.

“It was a phenomenal effort on behalf of everybody,” Harris
County-Houston Sports Authority president Kenny Friedman said of the
process to construct the 22,000-capacity downtown venue. “Everyone who
came together to get this thing done quickly, on time and under budget
it’s a phenomenal addition to the Houston landscape.

“I think it’s the most beautiful [soccer] stadium I’ve seen in the
country. It’s intimate, it’s fan friendly and … I think it’ll be a
home field advantage for the Dynamo.”

According to Houston Mayor Annise Parker, the stadium plays a dual
role being a draw for major events and publicity to the city while
also creating an economic boon for the City of Houston and Harris
County.

“Long term, this is a job creator for the community,” Parker said,
adding that the stadium could create more than 1,000 jobs. “This area
will continue to pick up life and it’s going to be an economic driver.
It’s a gift to Houston and soccer fans, and it’s something that’s a
win-win.”

The stadium was finished ahead of schedule and below the estimated
cost of $95 million. Construction began on the stadium in February
2011.

Parker said the stadium, which will also host Texas Southern football
games and special events, will be an integral part of the community.

Some of the other events at the stadium include an soccer match
between New Zealand and El Salvador on May 23, a rugby match between
the United States and Italy on June 23 and a concert by the popular
country music duo, Sugarland.

Parker said the construction of the stadium provided 400 construction
jobs to local residents.